Steven Winn

Steven Winn is a San Francisco based free-lance writer and critic and frequent City Arts & Lectures interviewer. His work has appeared in Art News, California, Humanities, Manhattan, Symphony Magazine and The San Francisco Chronicle.

Articles by this Author

Chamber Orchestra/Orchestra Review

May 9, 2017

This Berlioz Requiem Impresses More by Whispers Than by Thunder

BY Steven Winn

Charles Dutoit elicited powerful, emotional music from an augmented S.F. Symphony.

Opera Review

May 2, 2017

The Spectacle of Temple de la Gloire Rises in Berkeley

BY Steven Winn

Decades of imagining and four years of “construction” culminate in a splendid production of Jean-Philippe Rameau’s opera-ballet.

Opera Review

April 11, 2017

Renée Rapier and Anthony Reed Set The Woods on Fire

BY Steven Winn

Clever, casual staging showcases the best of the mezzo and bass in their Schwabacher Debut recital.

Choral Review

April 4, 2017

American Bach Soloists Illuminate Divinity in the Details

BY Steven Winn

Meticulous research, programming, and performances elevate a concert of motets for double chorus.

Chamber Orchestra/Orchestra Review

March 28, 2017

S.F. Symphony Welcomes Spring With a Flourish

BY Steven Winn

The orchestra pairs the premiere of Holloway’s Europa and the Bull with 20th-century masterpieces.

Chamber Music Review

March 21, 2017

Voices of Music Entrances With Stabat Mater

BY Steven Winn

A radiant performance of Pergolesi’s masterwork eclipses the balance of the program.

Chamber Music Review

February 28, 2017

Julia Wolfe Mines a Profoundly American Experience in Anthracite Fields

BY Steven Winn

The plight of Appalachian coal miners is revealed through powerful music and stark imagery.

Early Music/Baroque Review

February 14, 2017

American Bach Soloists’ Lively Tour of Baroque Paris

BY Steven Winn

The highlights, including a rare chaconne by Marin Marais, stuck with you.

Early Music/Baroque Review

January 31, 2017

Elizabeth Blumenstock Dazzles on the “Turkish” Violin Concerto

BY Steven Winn

Philharmonia Baroque offers a bit of arcane music history along with fine performances of Mozart and Haydn.

Chamber Orchestra/Orchestra Review

January 24, 2017

House of Time Finds Timeless Themes in a Striking Baroque Program

BY Steven Winn

The chamber ensemble played with fire and grace on works from Handel, Bach, and Rameau.

Early Music/Baroque Review

December 6, 2016

Philharmonia Baroque Renders a Heroic Joshua

BY Steven Winn

Orchestra, chorus, and soloists coalesce under McGegan’s baton to bring down the walls in Palo Alto.

Chamber Music Review

October 18, 2016

Late Show: Biss and Brentano Come to Grips with Beethoven

BY Steven Winn

Pianist Jonathan Biss curates an evening of late period Beethoven at San Francisco Performances.

Early Music/Baroque Review

October 11, 2016

California Bach Society Delivers a Sublime St. Matthew Passion

BY Steven Winn

Standout vocal performances and attention to musical details do full justice to Bach’s spiritual masterwork.

Opera Review

September 30, 2016

Maurizio Muraro Is Brilliant in S.F. Opera’s Don Pasquale

BY Steven Winn

The Italian bass-baritone delivers an opera buffa performance for the ages.

Opera Review

September 12, 2016

Dreaming Big, Red Chamber Collaborators Rise to the Challenge

BY Steven Winn

S.F. Opera’s new commission transcends its limitations with sumptuous staging and beguiling performances.

Early Music/Baroque Review

August 16, 2016

American Bach Soloists Shine in Handel’s Earthbound Parnasso

BY Steven Winn

The North American premiere of a 1734 Handel serenata is an interesting glimpse of the composer fulfilling his duties as unofficial court composer. Eyes and ears were on some of the strongly cast soloists.

Opera Review

August 1, 2016

Powder Her Face Is Sordid and Brilliant at West Edge Opera

BY Steven Winn

Thomas Adès’ early masterpiece has lost none of its shock value, but there is serious musical and dramatic entertainment, exploited to the full by West Edge Opera.

Opera Review